Out Now: St-W 124 – The New Eco-Travel: Circular. Clever. Confident

August 31, 2018

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Amsterdam – The magazine sheds light on today’s most ground-breaking initiatives in ecotourism. Snøhetta’s Zenul Khan explains how the future-proof hotel Svart will produce more energy than it consumes. In Amsterdam, a rooftop greenhouse at the QO Hotel closes the circular economy’s four loops of sustainability, while the flexible Circl pavilion employs principles of reuse and recycling. And across the ocean, Zero Waste Bistro popped up in New York to address leftovers in the hospitality industry by sourcing and serving sustainability. New proposals for sustainable hospitality show that eco-travel – like nearly all of today’s industries – is experiencing a hi-tech makeover.

ObjectsDesigners rethink manufacturing processes. Furniture becomes available by subscription. Is Li-Fi the new Wi-Fi? Discover new directions in the world of products.

The Challenge: Sustainable hospitalityIn the lead-up to each issue, St-W challenges emerging designers to answer a topical question with a future-forward concept. Involving both travel and dining out – activities that typically generate a deluge of waste – the hospitality industry is in need of a radical rethink. Hotel guests are starting to stoke the fire: Greenview’s 2017 Green Lodging Trends Report noted a drastic increase in queries about carbon offsetting from overnight visitors. In line with this issue’s hospitality-themed St-W Lab, we asked five makers to share their visions for the industry’s future.

PortraitsSubodh Gupta raids the kitchen. JamesPlumb stays true to its sculptural roots. Bernard Tschumi discusses the evolution of architecture. Meet the people. Get their perspectives.

Hospitality LabIs the concept of sustainable travel a contradiction? With up to 80 per cent of the industry’s CO2 emissions generated by the journey alone – not to mention accusations of greenwashing aimed at the ecotourism sector – it seems all but impossible for holidaymakers to leave home with a clear conscience. Thankfully, change is afoot. Realizing that transparency is key, hotel designers are explicitly integrating sustainability into their plans and, in many cases, are involving both guests and locals in their various initiatives.

Reports: Soft furnishingsCompanies give textile waste a new lease of life. Nature-inspired designs bring the outdoors in. Technical fabrics push the limits of acoustics. Discover what’s driving the business of design.

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St-W 124

The Sep/Oct issue of St-W magazine sheds light on today’s most ground-breaking initiatives in ecotourism. Snøhetta’s Zenul Khan explains how the future-proof hotel Svart will produce more energy than it consumes.